lizardlwl

My wife and I will be taking a one week trip in mid August to the wine country of BC and will begin with an overnight in Seattle(first time). We will have a day and a half in Seattle before we start up to BC. A.What do we HAVE to see/do. B.What hotel should we stay in. Thanks in advance for any help.

NWWanderer

The Pike Place Market is the top must-see, and if it's in your budget and they have availability, a waterview room at the Inn at the Market would be a great choice of hotel.

If you're a rock music fan, then many people would say EMP is a must as well. For art lovers, the new Sculpture Park and newly renovated Seattle Art Museum would top the list.

There any number of very nice hotels. Have you looked at any of the other recent threads on the topic or done any reading about hotels to see what strikes your fancy? What's your budget?

lizardlwl

Thanks NW. I would like to stay below $200 for the hotel if possible (A little more if it would be a great experience/location)Is the EMP the music experience? It is # 1 on my wifes to do's. Any other advice and council would be great....(I have looked at a number of hotel threads and I see the Mayflower a bunch. How does it compare to the Inn at the Market???)

DebitNM

We really enjoyed the Underground Tour:
http://www.undergroundtour.com/

The Music Experience is great too. And for a most unusual fun evening:

http://dreams.zinzanni.org/

For great music and food:

http://www.jazzalley.com/

Hope this helps...
Debi

Andrew

A ferry ride out to Bainbridge Island would be nice - you get a great view of downtown Seattle and can see Mt. Rainier on a clear day.

Watch out in regards to hotels. Seattle can be really full in August. A couple of years back I had the unfortunate experience of going to Seattle last minute in August and not booking a hotel - and when I got there the ENTIRE city was sold out! (This was before the internet travel era.) No doubt you can find something if you look now but I wouldn't be surprised if you have to pay a lot. August is prime season in Seattle. You might try Hotwire or Priceline to try to save some money.

NWWanderer

Yes, EMP--Experience Music Project but no one here calls it that ;-), it's always EMP. Same with Pike Place Market--it's just "the Market".

Hard to stay under $200 at decent hotels downtown this summer but look at the Mayflower and at the Inn at Harbor Steps for around that price or slightly higher. The Mayflower Park is an older classic hotel that's been nicely kept up, while the Harbor Steps is more of almost a B&B in the lower floors of an apartment tower located right across from the art museum.

The Inn at the Market is in a class all its own but it's going to be far more than $200.

NWWanderer

Debi, just so you know, Teattro's going to be closed from early August to November because they are moving from their current location. But I agree, it's a wonderful way to spend an evening!

lizardlwl

Thanks all. I booked a room at the Warwick, $209 including breakfast, tax and parking........Any other advice would be GREAT

NWWanderer

Good deal! You'll have to let us know how you like the Warwick.

suze

I think the Warwick is a good choice. It's just down the street from my office. Seems to get lots of tourists and business travelers.

My Seattle must-see list would include: Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square Historic District, and the Seattle Center/Space Needle.

Gardyloo

Mine would include the Museum of Flight, the UW Arboretum and Lake Washington nature trail, a walk past the houseboats on Fairview Ave. E, and a walk along the beach at Alki Point.

happytrailstoyou

Congratulations on your hotel deal.

I agree with those who put Pike Place Market and a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island at the top of a "don't miss" list.

I would add the new Olympic Sculpture Park and the waterfront.

If you like jazz, check out who's playing at Jazz Alley while you're in town. It's close to your hotel--Eartha Kitt stays at the Warwick when she appears at Jazz Alley (this year July 31-August 5).

wildblueyonder

How about the duck trip?! It might be a bit corny, but it gives you a good overview of the city. You must go up the Space Needle. And look around Pike Place Mkt and roam around the waterfront in the evening, eating fish (salmon!) 'n' chips from Ivors and watching the Sun go down over Puget Sound (or is it Elliott Bay?)
We stayed for 4 nights last year - first two nights (before a long road trip) at a B&B near the airport (lovely, but if you only have a short time) and, when we returned, we stayed at the Silver Cloud on Lake Union.
I also agree about Alki Beach - lovely view of the city skyline from there.
Enjoy!

DebitNM

As we did not rent a car while in Seattle, Museum of Flight which took a long time getting to on the bus was very worthwhile.

We used bus or walked everywhere and it was great. Take ferry out to Alki and back for just the ride....and view.